Prediction: Newcastle vs Brighton

Prediction: Newcastle win

Best Odds: 33/20

Bookmaker: 888sport

The Premier League returns once again this weekend as we prepare to enter March’s slate of fixtures. There are just a few months remaining in the season and while it may seem obvious to see how things are going to go at both ends of the table, it’s rarely easy to tell until we get into the final eight-game stretch. With that in mind, it’s time to take a look at what should be a fascinating encounter between Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.

Newcastle

It took a couple months for things to really click into place but eventually, Eddie Howe managed to turn Newcastle into the kind of team that can genuinely start dreaming about a top half finish – and beyond that, Europe in the next few years. The financial input they’ve received from their new Saudi owners has helped massively, but in addition to that, the fanbase is starting to believe in a positive future for the club.

Team News

A whole host of players won’t be in the matchday squad for the visit of Brighton with the following being on the shelf: Saint-Maximin, Wilson, Trippier, Ritchie, Clark, Lewis and Hayden.

Brighton

Graham Potter is an excellent manager but for whatever reason, his philosophy and the exciting style that the Seagulls produce has been running out of steam in recent times. They aren’t going to be in any danger of slipping through the trap door to the Championship but ahead of the summer transfer window, they’ll want to shape up and prove to potential signings that they’re worth taking a gamble on.

Team News

The hope for Potter is that Webster will be able to work his way back into the starting XI by the weekend, however, Mwepu and Sarmiento have already been ruled out.

Factors to Consider

• Newcastle are 14th in the Premier League whereas Brighton are 10th.
• Newcastle have won four and drawn two of their last six games.
• Brighton have won one, drawn one and lost four of their last six games.
• Newcastle have scored nine goals and conceded three in their last six games.
• Brighton have scored four goals and conceded 11 in their last six games.

Conclusion

The direction of travel for both teams is incredibly interesting and based on the form of the Magpies, coupled together with what is bound to be a lively atmosphere, we expect to see them grind out yet another win here. It isn’t going to be particularly pretty but with Brighton losing a lot of the spark that made them so dangerous in the first half of the campaign, we can see them slumping to a 2-0 defeat.

Prediction: Newcastle win

Best Odds: 33/20

Bookmaker: 888sport